Andrew Bailey, of Lyndhurst Park, stole £16,000 from the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

Last August he pleaded guilty to six charges of “fraud by abuse of position” between November 2007 and August 2008.

Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer deferred sentencing but last week he sentenced Bailey to 100 hours’ community service, plus one year’s probation and instructed him to take part in an alcohol management programme.

The court heard that Bailey had owed “significant debts” to his father and that “a significant event” had happened to him.